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Ann ([personal profile] capri0mni) wrote2012-07-10 01:14 am

I recently figured out: What *I* think Baba Yaga represents

This, after I've read two versions of the Wonder Tale Vasilisa the Beautiful; the first one was a modern retelling by someone who doesn't give a name, and whose email is: Webmaster@oldrussia.net... Which doesn't shed much light on the author's persona. The second retelling is an English translation from 1912, so is in the Public Domain. Here's the version of the 1912 story: http://www.surlalunefairytales.com/babayaga/index.html

And seen a short film adaptation by a student film maker of another story in which she appears.

But none-the-less, I have an idea which pleases me. And it is this:

Baba Yaga is the Personification of Time, the Devourer, or the Entropy aspect of time.

And, behind a spoiler cut is a list of reasons why I think so:



1) Baba Yaga eats enough for 3, 4, and 5 men a sitting, and yet she is always hungry; Likewise Time "chews up" and swallows everything that exists (causes decay), and yet is never full.

2) There are three magical horsemen galloping through the forest around her house: A white horseman on a white horse, a red horseman on a red horse, and a black horseman on a black horse. When asked about them, she calls them "my Dawn," "my Sun," and my Night"

3) After she has kept Vasilisa in her home for three days, she demands that the girl ask her questions, but also warns her not to ask too much -- that not every answer brings goodness, and knowing too much makes a person "grow old too soon"

4) The thing that protects Vasilisa from harm is the wooden doll which her mother gave to her as a blessing, when she lay on her deathbed. And, upon learning that Vasilisa has her mother's Blessing, Baba Yaga kicks her out, saying that a person bearing a blessing hurts her. One of the most powerful protections we have against losing ourselves to Time, and being forgotten, is the love and teachings passed down to us from our ancestors -- if these things are protected and nurtured (which Vasilisa must do in order for the doll to come alive and help her), then they are resistant to the forces of Entropy.

So... yes.

I have more musings about this story... But I'm falling asleep something fierce, so they'll have to wait.